Human Rights

*“Evenemanget hålls på engelska men du är välkommen att prata svenska om du vill. Alla är välkomna.”* **[Please Click Here to Register](https://www.hellohuman.online/listings/hello-human-connect-1/?utm_source=meetup-sss&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=hhc6&utm_campaign=events) :** [https://www.hellohuman.online/listings/hello-human-connect-1/](https://www.hellohuman.online/listings/hello-human-connect-1/?utm_source=meetup-sss&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=hhc6&utm_campaign=events) It's getting real all around you huh? We have always had to rely on each other when systems fail. Digitialisation and the internet helps us to see what is happening around us. Meeting in community, in the real world, is how we survive and break out of the echo chambers which are dividing us. Let's move from doing things alone to sharing the load together. Let's move from thinking care is earned to knowing care is a right. Let's move from always competing to surviving and thriving. Isolation only protects harmful systems while connection weakens them. You were never meant to do any of this alone. Come. It's a small but powerful action. ## Agenda 17h35: Introductions 17h45: Discussion topic intro: Community care is a practice. How do we show up for each other? 17h55: Grounding exercise 18h00: Discussions 18h40: Snack break 18h50: Discussions 19h30: End 19h30 -20h00: Extra discussion time if needed. **What to bring:** Respect and good intent. ==========//========== **[Please Click Here to Register](https://www.hellohuman.online/listings/hello-human-connect-1/?utm_source=meetup-sss&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=hhc6&utm_campaign=events)** ==========//========== ### **About Hello Human Connect:** There is massive “unlearning” of biases that has to happen for us all to move forward to a place where we can all call each other human beings and not by other labels. Speaking to each other honestly and without judgement can be so powerful. What is happening in the world makes me sad. A lot of it has to do with the many “us vs them” events that takes place on this rock hurtling through space. So I invite all you beautiful humans to come and co-create together, for all of us. The event is a dialogue based event where people can come to discuss their “-isms” from a place of wanting to understand and unlearn. ie. “why is it racist if I say this…”, “I don’t understand how to be an ally to women or minorities”, “how do I deal with people who want me to use different pronouns”, etc. Deep and potentially hot topics but we have a [safe space](https://www.hellohuman.online/eq/how-to-create-a-safe-space/?utm_source=meetup-sss&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=hhc6&utm_campaign=events) for people like you who want to take and be the first step of change in their own lives and make friends beyond their regular homogeneous groups. Watching the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu go through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission talks when apartheid ended in South Africa makes me believe that there is something powerful in dialogue and forgiveness. So Hello Human Connect is a mix of two concepts: 1. **“Ubuntu”** – a concept in which your sense of self is shaped by your relationships with other people. It’s a way of living that begins with the premise that “I am” only because “we are.” 2. **Kintsugi** – the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The beauty of the repaired object incorporates the fact that it was previously broken. The idea being that the dialogue and understanding is the golden bond that reunites all the splintered labels and definitions of self into a functioning beautiful whole again. So come to connect, share, learn, eat a snack and meet some fantastic humans IRL(in real life)! Come, it is a small but powerful action you can take to be part of the change you want to see in the world. See you there. **[Please Click Here to Register](https://www.hellohuman.online/listings/hello-human-connect-1/?utm_source=meetup-sss&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=hhc6&utm_campaign=events)**

**By George Brant** In English 20:00-22:00 50-225 kr: Get your tickets here - [Tickets](https://h2ocph.billetten.dk/index/eventdetails/eventno/138035) George Brant's award-winning monologue Grounded now returns to Copenhagen - Starring the international actress Dina Rosenmeier. Grounded is a timely and thought-provoking monologue about a highly trained female F-16 pilot whose career and identity are turned upside down when she becomes pregnant and is moved from flying fighter jets to operating drones from a military base in Nevada. The play focuses on themes such as power, technology, motherhood and the psychological cost of modern warfare - not least for women. For how does one balance motherhood with war and one's innermost passion in a male-dominated world? George Brant's award-winning monologue Grounded now returns to Copenhagen starring the international actress Dina Rosenmeier. Grounded is a timely and thought-provoking monologue about a highly trained female F-16 pilot whose career and identity are turned upside down when she becomes pregnant and is moved from flying fighter jets to operating drones from a military base in Nevada. The play highlights themes such as power, technology, motherhood, and the psychological cost of modern warfare - especially for women. It asks how one balances motherhood, war, and one's deepest passion in a male-dominated world. Don't miss Grounded - an experience that will stay with you long after the curtain falls. Suitable for ages 15 and up. Strong language. (5 stars) CphCulture: "Awesomely relevant drama through Dina Rosenmeier's vulnerable, quivering play." (5 stars) Kulturtid: "Current and relevant - Dina Rosenmeier gives us something to think about." (4 stars) Iscene: "An intense performance in a dramaturgically tight and tense staging." (4 stars) Ungt Teaterblod: "Highly tense, precise and deeply present - the story gets right under your skin." Pov International: "Grounded brings war home to the living room - the themes are more relevant than ever."

Let's enjoy Noma's Copenhagen 2025-2026 season menu. We split the check

Journey Into Self is a path to deeper integration. This is a closed, ongoing group meeting once a month. We will move through five archetypal stages of inner work: 🔥 The Innocent – represents the core of who we are, our purest Self that exists before anything else. This is the part of us that is untainted by the world, embodying our true nature, innocence, and purity. In this stage, we connect with our intrinsic worth and the fundamental qualities that define our being. Here, we rediscover and embrace our authentic self, often buried under layers of conditioning and social expectations. 🌑 The Shadow – refers to the parts of ourselves that we have suppressed or denied. This includes our fears, wounds, and shadow aspects that reside in our unconscious. Confronting and integrating these hidden parts is essential for healing and wholeness. This stage involves facing our inner darkness, understanding its origins, and transforming it into a source of strength and wisdom. We are bringing light to the shadow and reclaiming disowned parts of ourselves. 🌿 The Wild – symbolizes our primal nature and connection to the physical body and natural world. Here we embrace our instincts, passions, and the raw energy that drives us. It is the encouragement to live fully in our bodies, experiencing life through our senses. This stage is about grounding ourselves, reconnecting with our wildness, and honoring the wisdom that comes from our embodied experience. 🐦‍🔥The Phoenix – represents transformation and rebirth. The dragon symbolizes clarity and inner wisdom. Its purpose is to strip away illusions, allowing us to confront the truths about ourselves. The phoenix, on the other hand, signifies the cycle of death and rebirth, the process of rising from the ashes renewed and transformed. This stage involves profound personal growth, shedding old identities, and emerging more authentic. It’s about continually evolving at our own pace ✨ The Magus – embodies mastery and wisdom. The Magus is the wise one, the alchemist who has learned to integrate and harmonize aspects of the self. This stage is about realizing our potential, using our knowledge and skills to create and influence our reality. It’s about living with purpose, authenticity, and a deep connection to the greater whole. The Magus is the meeting point of perceived opposites, we embrace ourselves as both good and bad, light and dark, masculine and feminine. The Magus represents the wholeness. 👑What Will You Get: 1. Deep Personal Growth: Gain clarity about your true self and uncover hidden patterns. 2. Healing and Integration: Address and accept suppressed emotions and wounded aspects. 3. Authenticity: Embrace your light and shadow without judgment to live fully as you are. 4. Empowerment: Learn to harness your inner wisdom and take charge of your life. 5. Community Support: Experience connection and shared growth. 6. Mind-Body Connection: Reconnect with your instincts, passions, and inner being. 7. Guided Personal Processes: Receive tailored guidance to uncover hidden patterns and support personal breakthroughs. 8. Transformation: Emerge with greater resilience, purpose, and self-awareness. 9. Trauma-Informed Practices: Techniques for reconnecting with the body to improve clarity, reduce stress, and promote emotional regulation. ✨This isn’t surface-level work. We will go deep with a small, intimate group that will hold space for your growth and transformation. You’ll be seen, supported, and guided every step of the way. Together, we will explore what’s hidden and bring it into the light so you can show up as the fullest version of yourself. [BOOK HERE](https://www.therapywithlana.com/journey-into-self) ✨ Spaces are limited to keep the intimacy of the group. We only have 1 space left✨ ➡️When: NEW GROUP STARTS IN JANUARY 2026! January 23 February 27 March 27 April 24 May 22 From 18:30 - 21.00 ➡️Where: Salig, Masnedøgade 20, København Ø ➡️Cost: Limited spots available 444 DKK per session Early Bird: 400 DKK per session until 15th of January Ready for this journey? Book your place if you feel the pull to go deeper. This isn’t for everyone, but if you know it’s for you, don’t wait. You’re welcome to join us. 🔥 [BOOK HERE ](https://www.therapywithlana.com/journey-into-self)

Join Bien Contemporary for a unique evening of creativity where painting meets cocktails! Unleash your artistic side in a relaxed and social atmosphere, perfect for both beginners and experienced artists. Sip on delightful cocktails while our talented instructors guide you through a step-by-step painting session. Immerse yourself in the world of art as you create your very own masterpiece while mingling with fellow art enthusiasts. This event combines the perfect blend of artistic expression and socializing, making it an unforgettable experience. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unwind, unleash your creativity, and indulge in some delicious cocktails at Bien Contemporary's Painting & Cocktails Night! Get tickets online here - https://biencontemporary.dk/event/

**Wars, AI, Civilizations, and Competing Visions of Life...** We’re entering an era defined by a single, uneasy question: *who shapes the future of the world?* The rivalry between the United States and China is no longer just about trade or territory. It’s about technology, artificial intelligence, power—and, beneath it all, very different ideas about what a good life and a good society actually are. This is not a military briefing or a policy debate. It’s a philosophical conversation about what this global confrontation really means for humanity. *** **Topics we’ll touch on:** * Is this a new Cold War—or something fundamentally different? * AI as a strategic weapon: dominance, surveillance, autonomy, and control * Freedom vs stability: individual rights or collective order? * Can technology replace ideology—or does it secretly *become* ideology? * Is war becoming more likely, or just more invisible? * What do these two worldviews say about human nature, meaning, and purpose? * And ultimately… what kind of future are we drifting toward—and which one do we *want*? Casual discussion. No expertise required. Just curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to think beyond headlines and slogans. Whether you feel anxious, fascinated, skeptical, or conflicted—you’re not alone. Let’s look past the superpowers—and ask what kind of world they are quietly building for all of us.

Thank you all for the fascinating talk on Saturday about Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, *Girl, Interrupted*. Rendezvous Bar, which we were visiting for the first time, was a great spot, but the loud music was a bit much. So, thank you all for your patience, and especially a big thank you to Elise for her wonderful and passionate introduction to the book she chose. As usual, we voted on the next book to read at the end of the event. This time, the book that won was Jane Austen’s penultimate novel, *[Persuasion](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2156.Persuasion?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5O4iyF5w8n&rank=2)*. The novel was published posthumously six months after Austen’s death, at only 41 years old, in 1818. It tells the story of Anne Elliot, who, at a young age, was persuaded by friends and family to break off an engagement to Captain Wentworth. But was it the right decision? Luckily, the two meet again years later and have another chance at love and marriage. You can read more about the book [here](https://time.com/7302901/jane-austen-persuasion-how-to-grow-up/). Read the book [here](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/105). Or listen to the audiobook version [here](https://archive.org/details/persuasion_0905_librivox/persuasion_01_austen.mp3). There’s a movie version from 2022 starring Dakota Johnson available as well on [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/dk/title/81410649). And several TV movies and TV shows, which are [more hard](https://www.imdb.com/find/?q=persuasion&ref_=tt_nv_srb_sm) to come by. For other resources on how to get a hold of classic books, please see the About us section on the front page of the group [here](https://www.meetup.com/copenhagen-classic-book-book-club/?eventOrigin=home_groups_you_organize). We meet up on Saturday, January 24th, at 4 p.m. The location will be new, but it’s just across the aisle from our last location. It’s called the Fireplace Lounge at 25hours Hotel in Pilestræde 65. The hostess has promised us that the music will be turned down, so we are looking forward to that. Also, please remember to bring your suggestion for the next classic book to read. In February, we read books by women authors, so if you have a suggestion that fits that theme, please share it with us. And, please, as always, be mindful and respectful of each other, so that everyone feels respected and appreciated. In the meantime, happy reading/listening/watching or however you do it.

🎬 Film Screening with English Subtitles Saturday, January 24 at 9:00 PM, No Other Choice will be screened with English subtitles at Park Bio, located in the heart of Østerbro. A powerful and highly praised film, already receiving strong international attention. A great opportunity for non-Danish speakers to experience the film on the big screen. 🎟️ Tickets are available via Park Bio at [https://www.parkbio.dk/order_movie_ticket/4745](https://www.parkbio.dk/order_movie_ticket/4745 "https://www.parkbio.dk/order_movie_ticket/4745") We hope to see you there.

Hej! Copenhagen’s not just cozy — it’s cosmopolitan too. [[Click this whatsapp groupchat link to join us](https://chat.whatsapp.com/HAJbRQkiuZKFtvdqBeVy4w)] Our Saturday 7:30 PM meetups gather 20–30-somethings who love international connections. Expect warm vibes, open minds, and a seat at the table for everyone. Come join the city’s most hyggeligt hangout. join us!!

**No pressure, no plan—just new friends** ✨ Whether you’re visiting Copenhagen for the first time, recently relocated, or simply love connecting with curious people, this weekly meetup is the perfect way to share stories, make friends, and go explore, as a group, the magic that Copenhagen has to offer 🇩🇰 **What to expect?** • **Casual & hostless**: no formal host, no schedule: just show up, be yourself, meet fellow solo travellers & expats and decide as a group where you feel like going • **Central meeting point**: it is surrounded by cultural landmarks, cafes, and restaurants, making it a convenient and safe starting point. • **Open to everyone**: whether you are a local, an expat or just passing through for a few days, you are welcome to join. (English is the primary language, but feel free to switch of course) **How to talk with strangers?** (and create meaningful connections) To help you get started, I curated a little game of **[ridiculously good questions](https://www.pierrebonvalot.com/theblog?p=285a9711d7df80d5ac25dd4ef8fe5394&pm=c)** you can ask to break the ice, shift the conversation from dull to intriguing and fun, and eventually create meaningful connection quickly. I hope this helps! **The only things you need to do are…** • Leave a message in the comment section to let the others know that you will actually be there (I don’t want you to end up alone there :) • If you can’t make it anymore, no problem! But please update your RSVP to let the others know • Please be gentle and patient with each other. We all want to make good friends here. **Why join?** • Meet open-minded travellers and locals who are keen to connect, learn and have fun together. • Experience Copenhagen... as a group. • Be part of a global community that celebrates solo travelling and meaningful connections between foreign and locals. **How does it works?** 1\. Arrive at the meeting spot at the scheduled time\. 2\. Look for other joiners—friendly faces and curious explorers\. 3\. Introduce yourself\, connect with others\, and decide as a group where to go\. **When & where?** • Day: every Sunday • Time: 4:00 PM (meetup sometimes displays a different time zone: but it’s always 4pm local time) • Location: in front of the Søren Kierkegaard statue **Hostless**: I am setting up the event for you all to meet, but I won't be there myself this time :) **Hi my name is Pierre** I created this Meetup group because I want to see more human connection happen in the real world. I feel many of us want this, but don't exactly know how to go about it. I hope this helps a little bit. I also work as a transformational coach: I help people who feel stuck in their life to reconnect with themselves, create real change and ultimately live more fulfilling lives. 🔗 bento.me/pierrebonvalot

Booked pitch at Holmen. Pitch is booked until 14.30 💰 **Cost:** 10 kr Mobilepay: 9539SH Revolut: [revolut.me/frederwnn](https://revolut.me/frederwnn) Or bring Cash * Event begins at 12:45 * You must sign out no later than 9:00 * Spots are non-transferable (you cannot reserve a spot and send someone else in your place) * Members who follow the rules and attend regularly will be given priority **Be at the pitch at 12.45 sharp!** Minimum 14 players and we play! We aim for 8v8 The game is naturally for everyone no matter gender, level or anything. We emphasise on having fun! That also means no risky tackles or foul language. Bring a white and a black t-shirt and a ball if you have one. **Last minute sign-off's** (Later than 9AM on the same day) or no-shows will be banned from the next game and be put in the no-show list. 3 Strikes and you're out for a full year - no exceptions. See the list here: [No-shows @ Football.xlsx](https://kpdk-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/hems_kp_dk/ETJW3_gniv1BmbKjidmn31wB9SFCobvhySRDW5fXSdc9Lg?e=lCafbH)

Please Note: only registered guests will be allowed to attend our meetings. 🎤 Looking to overcome your fear of public speaking and gain confidence in your leadership abilities?\*\* Look no further than Frederiksberg Toastmasters, a chartered club of Toastmasters International - the leading non-profit organization in public speaking and leadership development. 🌟 Practice your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills in a supportive and inclusive environment, guided by experienced mentors and utilizing the Basecamp curriculum. 🌱 Develop your ability to persuade, gain stakeholder buy-in, and negotiate with ease through regular speeches, evaluations, and leadership opportunities. 🤝 As a member of Frederiksberg Toastmasters, you'll join a community of like-minded individuals working towards the same goal: to become world-class communicators and leaders. 🗓️ We invite you to join us at our weekly meetings, held every Saturday from 11:00 to 13:00. We start on time. 🔍 A typical Toastmasters meeting is run like this: [Watch Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=383gehepo8M) 📌 Meeting location: Please check our LinkedIn page: [Frederiksberg Toastmasters LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/frederiksberg-toastmasters) 😊 As a guest, you'll have the opportunity to observe and participate in our meetings (voluntarily). Note that you will not be forced to speak if you don't want to. Typically, there will be around 20-30 people. 🗣️ You will witness the power of superior communication manifesting in the form of inspiring oratory and elevated storytelling that underpins world-class leadership. ✍️ Step out of your comfort zone and become the best version of yourself 🚀 Frederiksberg Toastmasters \| Home of Leadership and Public Speaking Toastmasters \| Where Leaders are Made 📮 frederiksberg@toastmasters.dk 🌐 Facebook: [Frederiksberg Toastmasters Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FrederiksbergTM) 🌐 LinkedIn: [Frederiksberg Toastmasters LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/frederiksberg-toastmasters)

**What Kind of World Do We Want to Live In? (Free Event)** **In times like these, we can see more clearly the potential for humanity when it works together in unison – as well as the challenges if we don’t and continue to operate as we have been before. If you could design the world of the future, what spiritual values would you want to see in it to help realize those potentialities?** **All of us hope for a better future for ourselves and for our children, but how do we get there? What sort of ideas and behaviors will we need to leave behind – and what values will we need to build the foundation of the future on? And how can we work together to build a future that works for all of us, where each of our fullest potentials as human beings can be realized?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on what a future society might look like and the role each of us can play in creating it. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role of spirituality in the unification, peace, and progress of all.** **“The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

HSLC has many cats and kitties hoping to find their fur-ever families! Come meet them at the Petsmart in Leesburg from Noon to 2:00pm on Saturday, January 24th. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit [Humane Society of Loudoun County](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/) If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, [complete an no-obligation application today](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/adoption-process/) to expedite the application process.

## **Moving Beyond Us Versus Them with Sister Jenna** **Join renowned speaker, Sister Jenna, at our new Brahma Kumaris location in Chantilly, VA for this powerful event!** ## ***Beyond sides. Beyond stories. Into connection.*** In a world increasingly shaped by polarization, uncertainty, and “Us versus Them” thinking, many people are feeling weary, guarded, or disconnected, sometimes without realizing how deeply it has affected them. *Moving Beyond Us Versus Them* offers a timely and healing invitation to step out of division and into understanding. In this reflective session, Sister Jenna guides us to examine how labels, opinions, and unconscious biases quietly shape our perceptions and reactions. Rather than engaging in debate or blame, this session creates space to rise above conditioned thinking and reconnect with our shared humanity, where compassion, dignity, and mutual respect naturally emerge. This session is not about choosing sides, it’s about choosing consciousness, connection, and the courage to see one another anew. ***Sister Dr. Jenna*** *is a spiritual mentor, author, radio and TV personality, renowned speaker, and the founder of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum located in Maryland. She hosted the popular America Meditating Radio Show and is a recipient of the President’s Lifetime National Community Service Award. Sister Dr. Jenna is a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, a group of thought leaders from diverse disciplines in service to conscious evolution and was selected by Empower A Billion Women 2020 as one of 100 most influential leaders of 2015.* *She is the author of “[Meditation: Intimate Experiences with the Divine through Contemplative Practices](https://www.amazon.com/Meditation-Experiences-Contemplative-Practices-Sentience/dp/194502691X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A4J9WRQ16QAJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.va3qPnUsFjEWH641OraGTqBHm8wDhdhrTu3hpjHufKo.7mA_AgIvDXQuQ9_Uu4ucZgQIOKmCfKb6yBHsIqamhPY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Meditation%3A+Intimate+Experiences+with+the+Divine+through+Contemplative+Practices&qid=1753065633&sprefix=meditation+intimate+experiences+with+the+divine+through+contemplative+practices%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1),” a profound compilation featuring insights from over 30 contributing authors and she contributed to “[Mr. President – Interfaith Perspectives on the Historic Presidency of Barack H. Obama,](https://www.amazon.com/Mr-President-Interfaith-Perspectives-Presidency/dp/1939774306/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38LXE3LGDPJ6C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lSb0fzkCXPXp-Gf4ReVNoA.5hIb1TKNvtmLu65w2R4-l13WjyXAzF-rRFtQzDsRTcg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mr.+President+%E2%80%93+Interfaith+Perspectives+on+the+Historic+Presidency+of+Barack+H.+Obama%2C&qid=1753065692&sprefix=mr.+president+interfaith+perspectives+on+the+historic+presidency+of+barack+h.+obama%2C%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1)” offering her unique spiritual insights on leadership and unity.* Sunday, Feb., 8th, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris Center, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/fTuNz](https://shorturl.at/fTuNz)

Join us for Fundraiser Bingo, where fun meets community impact! Whether you’re coming out to support HSLC or simply want to play a few rounds of bingo, everyone is welcome! 🎉 Free to Attend 🍽️ Lost Barrel Brewing donates 10% of all food sales during the event to HSLC 🏆 Prizes to be won & fun guaranteed 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages welcome ⏰ Sundays | 4:30–6:30 PM Come hungry and thirsty, enjoy great company, and help support at-risk animals in our community—one bingo card at a time! About this month’s non-profit: Humane Society of Loudoun County HSLC is a foster-based, all-volunteer rescue that saves and improves the lives of vulnerable animals by providing care and placing adoptable animals into loving forever homes.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

**Finding Meaning in Life’s Difficulties (Free Event)** **Is there hidden value in the difficulties and hardships of life, or are these things just to try to get past as quickly as possible? If so, how can we emerge from the current world crisis we are facing as stronger, more resilient individuals and communities?** **When we look at the difficult moments of our lives, aren’t those often the times when we grew the most? So many valuable lessons in life and growth opportunities are hard-won, often coming out of these trying moments. So why are we so focused on avoiding these difficulties? From this perspective, how would we as individuals and as a society confront the inevitable struggles we will be faced with? How can we build stronger communities that ensure not only that we don’t have to face struggles alone, but that we as individuals will emerge stronger as well?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the opportunity for growth during times of struggle. Join us for a lively discussion as we reflect on the meaning of the struggles of life and explore the true nature of progress.** **“The troubles of this world pass and what we have left is what we have made of our souls.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

**Applying Dr. King’s Legacy Today** Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision was not only about hope—it was about action. This meetup invites people from all backgrounds to explore how Dr. King’s principles of justice, nonviolence, and the Beloved Community can be lived out in today’s world. Together, we’ll reflect on Dr. King’s teachings, connect them to current challenges, and discuss practical ways to apply his legacy in our daily lives, communities, and institutions. Through respectful dialogue and shared learning, we aim to move beyond remembrance toward meaningful engagement and positive change. Whether you’re new to Dr. King’s work or have long been inspired by it, this gathering offers space to listen, learn, and act—together. **All are welcome.**